“Wait.” Lord Northwick frowned. “If you can come up with an excuse to skip this coming season, you could keep your London home and rent it. I understand many of our peers rent during the season.”
He sat back down. “That is a possibility.” He was well aware that even the Enderlys rented a home for the season. He silently calculated what it would add to his coffers, and it could work, except it would be too late. He shook his head. “I’m afraid I will need the added cashflow before then.”
“Then it appears you have only one option.”
He stared at the duke in surprise. He didn’t see any options and hope reared its fickle head. “What is that?”
“Marry a woman with a significant dowry immediately.”
“James, no.” Lady Northwick’s reaction to the suggestion seemed odd.
“There’s no hope for it. He must if he is to save his estate.” The duke pierced him with a penetrating gaze. “Would you be willing to marry for a dowry?”
As his chest constricted at the idea, he rose. “No.” Lord Northwick opened his mouth to say more, but he refused to listen. “No. I will not tie myself to a woman for life, just to solve a temporary and inconvenient disruption in my family’s lifestyle. I would sell our London house and all my paintings before doing that.” He gave a short bow. “I am sorry I wasted your time.” He thought about asking them to keep his financial situation a secret, but dismissed it. They would do whatever they chose, even if he did ask.
Seeing that he was intent on leaving, the duke and duchess rose as well and moved between him and the door, Lady Northwick laying her gloved hand on his arm. “I hope you will reconsider.”
He started to shake his head, but the door opened and Amelia walked in. He sucked in his breath at the sight of her. After three weeks of absence from her presence, he felt like a thirsty man being offered water, but in this case that water was frozen. Still, he couldn’t help staring. She was a vision in a pale pink dress, the wisps of her hair softening her face. He steeled himself against her beauty, reminding himself that she had different priorities than he.
Lady Northwick spoke to her sister. “We’ll be right outside.”
Amelia nodded and the door closed, leaving them alone.
Immediately, he moved to the door. “This is improper.” The last thing he needed was to be forced into a marriage neither of them wanted.
“Please, they won’t say anything to anyone. They are not Lady Garmoyle.”
Part of him wanted to believe they were, but his instinct said otherwise. Still, he stayed near the door, as far away from her as he could. “Did you wish to speak with me privately, then?” He was lost as to what else she could say.
“Did you see your portrait?”
Was that all? Did she once more worry about her talent? Though he tried, he could not complement her work, even though it deserved it. “I did. Thank you.”
She clasped her hands in front of her, a sign of her nervousness. “I need to apologize.”
He almost broke out into laughter, but choked it back. An apology would hardly repair his heart. Only distance from her would do that. “I accept.”
She blinked. “But you don’t know what I’m apologizing for.”
He raised his brows. “I would hazard a guess that you are apologizing for breaking our bargain and turning away my proposal of marriage.”
She flushed, the red starting at her neckline and rising. She was truly embarrassed? That was too odd to ignore.
“Yes and no.” She licked her lips. “I want to apologize for my reaction to your need for my dowry. I didn’t realize my response was due to my idealization of what a husband should embody, but I understand now that I was incorrect.”
He frowned, not a little confused. He shook his head. It didn’t matter. “As I said, I accept your apology. Now, I should go.”
“No, wait.” She unclasped her hands and stepped closer.
The damn scent of violets teased his nostrils. He stepped back. “Why?”
“I’m not doing this right.”
He almost laughed at her, but swallowed it down. Did she not realize that whatever she had to say to assuage her own guilt only made his pain worse?
“Andrew, I made a mistake. I do want to marry you.”
He stiffened. What game did she play now? He swallowed hard, anger now making his voice harsh. “Why?”
